Latest news with #hotelprices
Reuters
14-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Spaniards struggle to enjoy their own beaches in tourist deluge
MADRID, July 14 (Reuters) - International holidaymakers are keeping Spaniards off their own sun-kissed beaches due to ever-rising hotel and rental prices during an unprecedented tourism boom. Spain's top 25 Mediterranean and Atlantic coast destinations saw local tourism drop by 800,000 people last year whereas foreign visitors rose 1.94 million, according to previously unreported official data reviewed by analysis firm inAtlas. The trend looks sure to continue as the world's second-most visited country - after France - anticipates a record 100 million foreign visitors this year. "Prices have risen outrageously. The whole Spanish coast is very expensive," said Wendy Davila, 26. She cancelled an "exorbitant" trip with her boyfriend in Cadiz on the south coast for a cheaper visit to the inland city of Burgos, famed for its Gothic cathedral and the tomb of 11th century commander El Cid. "Now you don't go on holiday wherever you want, but wherever you can," added Davila, who is nostalgic for childhood beach holidays in Alicante on the Mediterranean. With a population of 48 million - half the number of foreign visitors each year - Spain relies heavily on tourism, which contributes more than 13% of GDP. But protests are growing over housing shortages exacerbated by mass tourism - and could be exacerbated by the indignity for Spaniards being priced out of their favourite holidays. Hotel prices have risen 23% in the past three years to an average of 136 euros ($159) a night, according to data company Mabrian. Beachfront rentals have also climbed 20.3% since mid-2023, according to price monitoring firm Tecnitasa, with most of them booked out for the summer by the first quarter. "It is becoming increasingly difficult for Spanish holidaymakers to afford beachfront tourism rentals," said Tecnitasa Group President Jose Maria Basanez. Foreign tourists stayed an average of eight nights at top Spanish beaches last year, with locals only affording half that time and spending a quarter of the money, inAtlas said. In fact resort hotels are modifying down their forecasts for this summer, even despite the foreign boom, partly because places where residents tend to take their holidays expect slower sales. Spaniards also made near 400,000 fewer trips to the country's major cities in 2024 compared to the previous year, while foreign tourist visits there increased by almost 3 million. Aware of the brewing discontent and disparities, Spain's socialist government is encouraging international tourists to explore inland attractions to address overcrowding and diversify. "If we want to continue to be leaders in international tourism, we have to decentralise our destinations," Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu said at the launch of a first campaign to highlight Spain's lesser-known charms in June. "We want Europeans and those from other continents to rethink their idea of the Spain they love and visit so much." Spaniards have a strong tradition of escaping for family holidays in the hot summer months, but they are turning more to Airbnb rentals than hotels, and swapping Catalonia or the Balearic Islands for lesser-known destinations in Andalucia or Castille and Leon where prices are lower and mass tourism is yet to hit. Last year, 1.7 million more Spaniards holidayed in generally more affordable inland areas, according to inAtlas. In the mountain town of El Bosque for example, 100 km from the beaches of Cadiz on the Atlantic, the number of Spanish tourists increased by 22% last year. "There may be a certain displacement effect," said Juan Pedro Aznar, professor and researcher at the Madrid-based Esade business school, noting Spaniards' lower purchasing power compared to British and German tourists. For some Spaniards, it is best to avoid the summer crowds altogether. Nurse Maria de la Jara will stay in Madrid this summer, only going south to visit family in Cadiz once the busy season is over. "I used to go to my family's house, but there are more and more foreign tourists in Cadiz and when a cruise ship arrives, the population doubles," said the 51-year-old. "It's overwhelming." ($1 = 0.8561 euros)
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wimbledon hotel prices surges 300 per cent during Championship season
Hotel prices around Wimbledon have surged by as much as 300 per cent during the Championship season in late June and early July, according to a study. The study by researchers at BetUK analysed live hotel prices in Wimbledon, Richmond upon Thames, Putney, Kingston upon Thames, and Central London using and found startling price changes. In the week prior to the Championships, hotels in Wimbledon were priced at £101 per night on average. However, during the tournament, they shot up 82 per cent in the first week to around £184, and then soared 310 per cent to an average of £313 over the final weekend of Wimbledon. The research discovered that some of the most expensive hotels in Wimbledon during the championships can cost upwards of a £871 per night towards the end of the tournament. However, it is possible to find cheaper alternatives as there are rooms available during the first week of Wimbledon at just £68 per night. READ MORE: Shoreditch greengrocer and café launches petition against '300 per cent rent increase' READ MORE: Amazon sells £35 diffuser that shoppers say 'rivals' The White Company Spectators who wish to stay further afield and travel in for the event may be interested in Kingston upon Thames, Putney, Richmond upon Thames, and Central London are viable alternatives. However, the hotel prices in these alternatives have also increased a staggering amount for Wimbledon. Hotel prices in Central London are £93 per night on average, the week leading up to Wimbledon. However, the prices rise by 144 per cent in week one to £227 per night, and they increase even further during week two to £249 per night, which is a 168 per cent premium. Richmond upon Thames is the cheapest place to stay for the Championships. Hotel prices only increase by 49 per cent in week one and 43 per cent in week two, up from an average of £182 per night the week prior to Wimbledon to £272 and £260 respectively. Increasing prices seem to be a trend at Wimbledon in 2025 as strawberries and cream rise in price for the first time since 2010, from £2.50 to £2.70 a portion, an 8 per cent increase. Standard Centre Court seats also rose in price from £90 to £105 from day one of the Grand Slam, an increase of 17 per cent. Despite these changes, Wimbledon is more popular than ever. They received a record number of ballot applications for tickets to this year's competition, and over half a million people attended last year's Championships over the two weeks. Stay up to date about London's hottest events, latest restaurant openings, and best deals with our Going Out Out newsletter. Sign up HERE!
Reuters
26-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Dutch consumer groups prepare legal action against Booking.com, alleging inflated hotel prices
AMSTERDAM, June 26 (Reuters) - Two Dutch consumer groups said on Wednesday they are seeking affected customers for a legal claim against (BKNG.O), opens new tab, one of the world's largest online travel agencies, over what they described as inflated hotel prices since 2013. The Consumer Competition Claims Foundation (CCC) and the Consumers' Association said in a statement that had allegedly been charging consumers too much for hotel rooms for years, leading to "hundreds of millions of euros in damage to Dutch consumers". "We have done research and it shows that Booking has been violating competition rules and consumer law since January 2013," CCC Chairman Bert Heikens said. did not respond immediately to a request for comment. In 2024, the EU's top court ruled that restrictions against hotels offering lower rates on their websites or on rival sites were unnecessary and could reduce competition, but also that such clauses were not anti-competitive under EU laws.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dutch consumer groups prepare legal action against Booking.com, alleging inflated hotel prices
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -Two Dutch consumer groups said on Wednesday they are seeking affected customers for a legal claim against one of the world's largest online travel agencies, over what they described as inflated hotel prices since 2013. The Consumer Competition Claims Foundation (CCC) and the Consumers' Association said in a statement that had allegedly been charging consumers too much for hotel rooms for years, leading to "hundreds of millions of euros in damage to Dutch consumers". "We have done research and it shows that Booking has been violating competition rules and consumer law since January 2013," CCC Chairman Bert Heikens said. did not respond immediately to a request for comment. In 2024, the EU's top court ruled that restrictions against hotels offering lower rates on their websites or on rival sites were unnecessary and could reduce competition, but also that such clauses were not anti-competitive under EU laws. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
National Post
11-06-2025
- National Post
Here's where Canadians can book five-star hotels for less
According to a new report by booking a luxury hotel may be cheaper than you think. You just have to know where to look. Article content The hotel booking website just released its 2025 Hotel Price Index, which analyzes average daily hotel rates around the world to help travellers get the most bang for their buck. For the report, compared the average daily rates of three-, four- and five-star hotels in 2024 to the bookings made on its site in 2023. Article content Article content Article content According to its findings, Canadians can stretch their travel dollars without sacrificing luxury when heading abroad. International five-star hotels were reported to be 17 per cent cheaper than five-star hotels in Canada. Article content Article content Some of the cheapest five-star stays in Canada can be found in Dildo and St. John's, Newfoundland at $179 and $205 a night respectively; Rustico, Prince Edward Island at $206 a night and Sauguenay, Quebec at $238 a night. Article content Several Canadian cities saw their average hotel prices decline, including Whistler (down 11 per cent), Halifax (down seven per cent) and Toronto (down nine per cent). Other popular destinations experienced a slight increase, such as Edmonton (up seven per cent) and Vancouver (up five per cent). Article content Article content Abroad, beloved European destinations such as Dublin, Amsterdam and Paris all saw slight dips in their daily rates. Meanwhile, Tokyo (up 15 per cent), Kyoto (up 18 per cent) and Madrid (up 10 per cent) saw the biggest jumps in their average rates. Article content Canadian travellers hoping to land a good deal should look to more affordable trending destinations, which often offer highly-rated accommodation at lower rates. For example, Bangkok, Thailand has an average daily rate of $137 and Osaka, Japan has an average rate of $168 a night. Article content Article content Article content Article content
